DARTMOUTH — University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Chancellor Divina Grossman praised lawmakers for passing legislation that will allow the campus to enter into a comprehensive collaboration with local police to enhance the safety of students, faculty, staff and town residents both on and off campus.

“I want to thank our entire SouthCoast delegation and their colleagues at the Statehouse for passing this legislation, which will further enhance the safety of our campus and the greater community,” Grossman said. “The aftermath of the Boston Marathon posed unprecedented challenges for our campus and the surrounding community, and I am very proud that our university, local, state and federal public safety officers were able to respond to those challenges in such a professional and effective manner."

The legislation, similar to legislation passed for UMass Amherst several years ago, was first proposed by a three-member external task force appointed by Grossman in the aftermath of the Boston Marathon tragedy. The task force — chaired by Montana State University President Waded Cruzado, and including University of Connecticut President Susan Herbst and Washington, D.C.-based Police Foundation President James Bueermann — determined that campus police inability to respond to issues off campus posed risks.

“Because police activities are not always predictable, and police officers have an inherent bias for action during emergencies, this situation unnecessarily exposes UMass Dartmouth to a level of risk that should be immediately addressed,” the report stated.

Under the legislation, the university and town of Dartmouth may enter into a mutual aid agreement that could extend UMass Dartmouth police powers off campus under defined and agreed-upon circumstances. The legislation also covers the other UMass campuses.

“This legislation will give the UMass Dartmouth Police Department greater flexibility to deal with certain types of incidents, which is critical, especially given the events of last year’s Boston Marathon. Greater collaboration between the university and the town of Dartmouth will help increase responsiveness and preparedness and should give both students and town residents a greater sense of security,” said state Sen. Mark Montigny, D-New Bedford. “I applaud the efforts of the chancellor of UMass Dartmouth and her staff for working with me in advancing this important legislation.”

“UMass Dartmouth is a center for economic and cultural growth in our region,” added Rep. Carole Fiola, D-Fall River. “As we continue to benefit from the contributions of its students, faculty and staff, public safety on the campus and its vicinity is a top priority. I’m proud to support legislation that promotes such comprehensive coverage and collaboration between town and campus police.”